Bicycle-saddle



(No Model.)

B. W. PERRY. BIGYGLE SADDLE.

Patented Mar. 5, 1895.

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Arena rrrcn.

REUBEN W. PERRY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BICYCLE-SADDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,018, dated March 5, 1895. Application filed January 5, 1894. Serial No. 1 N B -l To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN W. PERRY, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicycle-Saddles, of which the following is a description sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which said invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is an under side plan view of my improved saddle; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3, a sectional View illustrating means for tilting the saddle vertically; and Figs. 4 and 5, plan views illustratinga modification in the formation of the saddle-seat.

Like letters and numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures of the drawings.

An objection to the use of saddles as ordinarily constructed arises from the fact that the alternating movements of the legs neces sary to drive the pedals cause the saddle to chafe the rider. This is more particularly evident when driving the machine at a high rate of speed where it is necessary for the rider to lean forward very appreciably. My invention is designed especially to overcome this objection and supply a saddle which will conform readily to the movements of the rider while retaining all spring essential, and in carrying out the same I make use of means which will be readily understood by all conversant with such matters from the'following explanation.

In the drawings, A represents the saddlepost and B the saddle-bracket or clamp. The clamp is secured by a set-screw, b, on the post in the usual manner and consists of a body portion, d, which has an opening, f, to receive On said body portion there is a vertically curved segment, 50. The clamp proper comprises two members, 51, and 52, which have an arc-shaped groove, 53, for receiving the segment, 50, and which are clamped rigidly on said segment in any assumed position by screws, 54. The groove, 53, being longer than the segment the clamp proper can be moved vertically to any desired angle. Said members are chambered horizontally at, 55, (see Fig.2) said chamber opening outward through the forward end of the clamp and being provided with ashoulder, 56, for a purpose hereinafter described. At the rear of said chamber verticalopenings,57,are formed to receive the rear saddle spring.

The seat, 0, of the saddle is constructed of leather and is of the usual outline shape. Said seat, however, is split or creased centrally and longitudinally at, g, and the adjacent edges, '5, are turned inwardly or downwardly as indicated by dotted lines, 71., in Fig. 2. Under the pommel between said edges, 2', there is a plate, secured by rivets, 7a. This plate has a series of notches or hooks, m. The forward spring, D, is bent upon itself forming a loop which will take in the hooks or notches, m. Both arms of the spring are then coiled at, q, the ends of said arms bent at right-angles at, r, and inserted in the chamber, 55, of the clamp, B, where they are adjustably held by screws, 54. The inwardly turned ends, '1", of the spring, D, when thus secured in the chamber, 55, will engage the shoulder, 56, and prevent their accidental Withdrawal from the chamber while they are longitudinally adjustable therein as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The tension of the spring can be regulated by changing the position of the looped end in the notches or hooks, m, and the leather seat, 0, may be made so that the pommel will turn downward to cover the coils, q, of said spring if desired.

The cantle is formed of two plates, '12, securely bolted to the members of the seat, C. To these plates, 1;, the ends of the spring, H, are secured by bolts and nuts, w, said ends being looped around said bolts as shown in Fig. 1. The extreme ends, or, overlap and are embraced by a loose collar, y, through which they slide freely, a set-screw serving to clamp them in any assumed position, if desired. The wires forming the spring are coiled at, 13, and their opposite ends are inserted in the socket, 57, of the clamp, B, said ends being bent downwardly. Above the springs the flaps, t, on the saddle members are connected loosely by a strap and buckle or may be laced if preferred.

In use as the legs of the rider work to drive the pedals the members of the saddle-seat, 0, give alternately, the arms of the springs work ingindependently. In addition to this movement the cantle or rear portions of the seat separate laterally as the rear spring gives, the ends, as, of said spring sliding by each other. Moreover, a space on the upper surface of the saddle is formed by turning in the leather fiapsy, which is of great advantage to the comfort of the rider said space being arranged longitudinally and centrally of the seat. As described, the tension of the pommel-spring, D, may be adjusted by changing its position in the notches, m, or in the clamp. By loosening the screws, 54:, the pitch of the seat may be easily regulated, the clamp proper swinging readily on the segment.

It will be understood that I do not confine myself to splitting the saddle centrally or entirely through its length as the cantle, 0 maybe split as shown in Fig. 5, or the pommel of the seat, 0 may be split as at in Fig. 4.. These devices will permit the seat to conform at such points but I prefer creasing or splitting the same the entire length. Nor do I confine myself to the particular method of adjustment or connection shown for the seat members as any suitable means may be employed whereby the lateral and alternating vertical play of said members may be effected. It will be understood, also, that I do not confine myself to splitting the saddle because the leather of which the saddle is composed may be depressed or bent downward centrally, to form what is substantially the slot, claimed as above, the object being particularly to allow room for the alternate movement of the opposite sides of the saddle in pedaling. It is equally as Well adapted for use with the metallic racing saddle as with the leather seat shown, the adjustment being the same without the pliability of the material.

Having thus explained my invention, what I claim is 1. A bicycle saddle having its seat split longitudinally in combination with a spring connecting the pommel of said saddle with the saddle-post and adjustable in relation to said pom mel and springs connecting the cantle of said saddle with the saddle-post, said springs overlapping horizontally at their upper ends which are embraced in a collar substantially as described.

2. A clamp for securing a bicycle saddle to the saddle post comprising a body or standard attachable to said post and having a vertically arranged segment; two clamping members grooved in an arc to work on said segment and adapted to receive and support the saddle springs.

3. In a bicycle saddle a clamp for supporting the saddle on the saddle-post comprising the standard, 01, provided with the segment, 50, and the members, 51, and, 52, grooved to work vertically on said standard and adapted to receive the saddle springs.

4. A saddle for bicycles grooved longitudinally through its cantle; a vertically tilting clamp and devices for attaching it to the saddle post; two coiled springs having one end secured in said clamp, their opposite ends being respectively attached to members of the cantle and overlapping horizontally; a sliding connection for said overlapping ends; a spring having an end secured in said clamp, its upper end being detachably secured to the pommel of said saddle and adjustable longitudinally thereof all being combined to operate substantially as described.

5. The clamp, B,constructed as specified in combination with the saddle split longitudinally and having its edges flexibly connected; the spring, H, connecting the clamp with plates, 12, on the cantle members; the sleeve, y, connecting the ends of said springs; the notched plate, m, in the pommel of said saddle; the coiled spring, D, having a loop for engaging in said notches, the opposite ends of said spring being secured in said clamp, substantially as set forth.

REUBEN W. PERRY.

Witnesses:

KATHARINE DURFEE, O. M. SHAW. 

